On Thursday afternoon, the Coalition of Immokalee Workers and Walmart issued a joint press release announcing that Walmart had signed on to the Fair Food Program. The Fair Food Program’s goal is to improve the wages and working conditions of immigrant farm workers who pick tomatoes sold to retailers and restaurants.
The Fair Food Program originated as a project of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers, an alt-labor organization operating in Western Florida that advocates for migrant farmworkers’ rights. By entering into the Fair Food Program, Walmart is agreeing to purchase tomatoes from growers in compliance with the Program’s requirements.
These requirements include an increase in wages of a penny per pound of tomatoes picked, compliance with a code of conduct, education sessions advising workers of their rights and responsibilities, the generation of a complaint resolution mechanism for workers to contact, the creation of health and safety commissions on individual farms, and ongoing audits of the farms to ensure compliance with the Program.
Walmart is far from the first buyer to participate in the Program. Other restaurants and retailers include Whole Foods, Chipotle, Subway, Burger King, McDonalds, Trader Joe’s, and Yum Brands, the owner of TacoBell, KFC, and Pizza Hut.
Daily News & Commentary
Start your day with our roundup of the latest labor developments. See all
August 19
NLRB swears in third Trump-appointed Member; Teamster file complaint against Amazon in New York; unions and college students sue Trump admin for international student immigration restrictions
August 18
New Trump administration rules will remove the Merit Systems Protection Board's independence; a CFPB union leader suspended alleges retaliation; the National Treasury Employees Union requires its members to pay dues as it battles to stay financially afloat.
August 17
Tensions rise between New York City's teachers' union and City Hall; NLRB judge finds Brooklyn hospital violated labor law.
August 16
New documents show that federal surveillance operations targeted Minnesota labor unions during the ICE surge, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission denies halting federal class discrimination complaints.
August 14
Hollywood unions diverge in response to the Paramount-Warner merger saga; Tesla defeats a years-long strike in Sweden, and labor scholars advocate for state sectoral bargaining policy innovation.
August 13
EEOC complaint process expected to harm federal workers; former UAW leaders endorse Fain challenger; Xbox employees protest layoffs.